Foundations For Success

An INCREDIBLE story this week with someone who has gone through so much, but always found themselves coming out on the other side stronger and better than before.  Grace Zering shares a story of unimaginable adversities that she had to go through at a very early age.  This includes abuse, an eating disorder, and having a failed marriage, all before the age of 21.   Listen to find ou...

On this week's episode I interview former professional ballet dancer now turned Certified Mental Performance Consultant and doctoral student, Arianna Shimits.  Growing up, Arianna had to work diligently to catch up to her peers in ballet and ultimately pave a way in the professional world.  During both her pre-professional and professional career, Arianna then became aware of the mental...

I can't think of a better way to kick of The Mental Game in 2023 than with my brother, Derick Boyd.  Derick is a 4th year Ph. D. student at Indiana University.  His journey in getting to this point was filled with many trials and tribulations that could have easily led anyone to give up or quit.  For Derick, quitting was never an option.  There was something greater that he was...

On this week's episode I have on someone filled with energy, joy, and inspiration - Tayler Seymour.  Tayler is someone you will find motivating just from looking at her Instagram page for 2 minutes.  Not only that but she has a health and fitness community called "The Party People 🥳💪", where she shares this energy and so much more.   Tayler shows extreme vulnerability in this epis...

Go Hoosiers!!  I might be biased, but it is always a pleasure having on a fellow Indiana University Jacob's School of Music alum.  On this week's episode I have on the show, the wonderful Gabby Harris.  Gabby has had quite the journey filled with some really amazing ups, but also some very prolonged downs.  Throughout this episode, you will hear how Gabby has been able to find...

Thank you for tuning into the episode this week with Ms. Julia Rust.  Julia is a fabulous dancer and an even more wonderful person.  In this episode, Julia talks about her upbringing and how the coaching she received impacted her frame of mind and performance.  This would lead to her joining The Washington School of Ballet, winning the silver medal at USA International Ballet Compet...

In this week's episode I have on former professional ballet dancer with the New York City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and Miami City Ballet, Lauren Fadeley Veyette.  Lauren has a tremendous background that found her to leaving the "dream job" at NYCB after just two years in the company.  This however led her to a rejuvenated love for ballet through time spent at Indiana University earni...

You guys are going to want to listen to this entire episode... On this week on The Mental Game I sit down with a close friend, Daria Afshar.  Daria grew up in Fishers, IN where she begun dancing at the age of 3.  When she was 13 she experienced her first bout of shame when a teacher pointed at her and told her to "shrink that", referring to a part of her body.  Daria pushed passed t...

In this episode of The Mental Game, I sit down with licensed Psychologist, Dr. Sheena Sikorski.  Dr. Sheena and I discuss some of the most common mental health concerns she comes across as a clinician.  We talk about the inner critic, often at the forefront of the difficulties many of her patients face.  We discuss where this inner critic comes from, including how it lends itself to...

This dude is ELITE!  Joel Malkoff is a well-versed, well-traveled, and well-experienced human being of many different avenues.  By principal, Joel is an acrobat whose main act is tight wire.  In this episode, Joel takes us through the physical and mental preparation necessary to perform such an act.   Listen along as he also describes how his early childhood formed his way of t...

Imagine falling out of a turn and your director tells you, that better not happen again.  Or imagine a scenario where they make you question all of the time and hard work you have put in up to that point.  How would you work through the possible stress and anxious feelings that might follow?  In this episode, Rico Hipolito talks about this AND more.   Rico is a lead dancer with...

In this week's episode of The Mental Game I sit down with a dear friend who has already made waves in the mental health arena.  Goldie Walberg is a former professional ballet dancer with Ballet Met and the Kansas City Ballet and danced with Kansas City for a number of years before a crisis involving a loved one put life into perspective.   Goldie and I discuss her mental health journey,...

On this week's episode I speak to a dear friend of mine, Ms. Maura Bell.  Maura and I first met back at Indiana University where we were partners together in the production of The Nutcracker.  Since then, Maura has danced professionally with the St. Louis Ballet and completed her Master of Education from Carlow University.   We talk about this transition from being a professional da...

On this week's episode I answer the question; why did I create this podcast?  I bring you guys into my own mental health journey and struggles that lead to wanting to pursue this as a career.  There were specific factors that I discuss that were crucial to my early years in dance, allowing me to feel comfortable to continue to pursue this beautiful combination of artistry and athleticism...

In this week's episode I sit down with one of my very dear friends, Greg Goessner.  Greg has had numerous stops in the ballet world, most recently with Dayton Ballet and Indianapolis Ballet.  He is currently a ballet instructor and teacher at the prestigious Expressenz Dance Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.   Greg shares how his early experiences shaped his mindset and helped him bu...